The first suspected UK case of a parent giving their child industrial strength bleach as a “cure” for autism has sparked a health warning.

Officers from Thames Valley Police received a complaint that a young mother was using doses of MMS or “Miracle Mineral Solution” on her young son who has autism.

There are now fears use of MMS could be more widespread and parents are being warned of the dangers.

MMS is usually sold to be taken orally, but parents are also told to use it as an enema.

The potentially lethal mixture is being touted as a cure for autism, cancer, HIV, malaria and Alzheimer’s by the US-based Genesis II Church.

The organisation describes itself as “non-religious church of health and healing” and claims MMS is no different from giving sacrament in church services. Medical experts have rubbished the healing claims while the “cure” has already been linked to one death.

MMS was banned in Canada after it caused a life-threatening reaction in an elderly man.

Here in the UK the solution is classified as a food supplement and is therefore under the jurasdiction of the Food Standards Authority. The FSA has warned that MMS should not be taken as it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea as well as damage to the gut.

However, the product is widely available on the internet, and social media groups which promote it have more than 1,000 members.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed officers had followed up the complaint and it has been and referred to Children’s Services. But there is no criminal investigation.